Comments on: Leafs' coach Wilson 'isn't going anywhere

By: reinjosh

reinjosh — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:46:23 +0000

I haven't been impressed with Strome or Armia this year. They haven't lived up to expectations yet. But I understand why you have both on the list.

By: reinjosh

reinjosh — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:45:09 +0000

Different players. They react differently. Its a concern because you don't know how they will react.

By: TheLeafNation91

TheLeafNation91 — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:00:46 +0000

I think Armia's super talented, great size, power forward, and should score a lot being with Granlund. There's also another Granlund brother the WJC could potentially fear. But I actually had a list of 5 dark horses and those 2 were in it.

The top-5 dark horses should be:

- Strome
- Etem
- Bjustad
- Forsberg
- Aberg

By: reinjosh

reinjosh — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:15:09 +0000

I doubt that a lot. There is almost no chance that Lupul would be doing this well on Anaheim. His coach wasn't going to give him a shot as a left wing and wasn't giving him time in the top 6. Who knows if he would have a shot with Boudreau.

Gardiner wasn't likely to make the team with Anaheim. The management didn't think he was an NHL ready player yet and most fans of Anaheim figured he was two years out at the earliest. He was passed by both Fowler and Schultz in the space of the year, something similar to what happened to Colborne. He was more valuable to them as a trade chip than a developing prospect.

By: reinjosh

reinjosh — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:13:15 +0000

I’d take Armia off and Add Bjugstad or Etem in his place. Etem’s speed and scoring touch could be deadly and Bjugstad’s combo of everything could make him the most dangerous plaeyr on the ice at any given moment.

By: TheLeafNation91

TheLeafNation91 — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:39:03 +0000

I think Anaheim would rather have Lupul and Gardiner now than Beauchemin IMO

By: TheLeafNation91

TheLeafNation91 — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:37:31 +0000

I think USA has proven that is never a concern with their great performance against Canada in 2010.

What an awesome goal by Carlson in that game.

By: TheLeafNation91

TheLeafNation91 — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:32:16 +0000

If I had to make a list of the Top 10 nightmares in this tournament, it will be:

- Granlund
- Kuzenstov
- Yakupov
- Grigorenko
- Shwartz
- Coyle
- Huberdeau
- Zibanejad
- Schiefele
- Armia

I think this could be a competitive race between USA, Canada, Russia, Finland, and Sweden.

By: reinjosh

reinjosh — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:25:47 +0000

This Finland team is probably one of the best they have ever had for the WJC tourney. They have a ton of potential. Both Granlunds, Armia, Pulkkinen, Salomaki (a preds pick last year), three potential first rounders in the this years draft (two dman Pokka and Maatta, and one forward Teravainen) and a potential top 5 pick next year in Barkov (who could actually go directly behind MacKinnon, he's 6 foot 2 at 16 and already in the Finnish Elite League and actually playing well), and possibly two or three potential first rounders from 2013 as well.

Its shaping up to be a highly talented group. THe biggest issue they may have is their relative youth.

By: Boston_Bruins

Boston_Bruins — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:23:35 +0000

The thing that should make Coyle particularly dangerous for this tournament is that he will be an absolute nightmare to handle. He's got man-strength and can protect the puck extremely well. Long-term, I'm not sure I see a huge ceiling for him, but I think he'll ultimately be a solid top 6 winger.

The Wild finally have some good prospects.